Five tea estate workers were killed when a mound of earth caved in on a row of houses at Pettimudi in the high range Idukki district early Friday morning as heavy rains pounded the area triggering a landslide. News agency PTI has confirmed that five bodies have been recovered. Five others who were injured have been rushed to the Tata General Hospital. At least 70 more people were suspected to be trapped under the soil, burying as many as 20 houses of plantation workers.

Heavy rainfall have been continuing in Kerala districts including Wayanad. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert of extremely heavy rainfall warning for the state till August 9.

"So far, 10 people have been rescued. The landslide occurred at a place where tea plantation workers reside. We don't know the exact numbers yet, but at least three families are stranded there," Idukki SP said.

Most of those trapped are believed to be tea cultivators in Munnar landslide.

Speaking on the incident, Kerala CM Pinarayi VijayaNational Disaster Response Force has been deployed to rescue the landslide victims in Idukki's Rajamala. Police, fire, forest and revenue officials also instructed to intensify rescue operation."

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall have led to waterlogged streets in Malappuram's Nilambur area.

Kerala: Streets waterlogged in Malappuram's Nilambur area, due to continuous rainfall
(Visuals source: National Disaster Response Force) pic.twitter.com/EPqLOoMLfV

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020

#KeralaRains Rainfall continues to lash Wayanad.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert of extremely heavy rainfall warning for Kerala till August 9 pic.twitter.com/UTuyq4cW57

— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2020